Amber Lynn Natusch
author of Dare You To Lie, out September 4, 2018
Author, I Never is a segment in which I interview fellow authors about the writing process, breaking into the industry, and breaking rules. I ask some hopefully novel questions along with some of the old standards, and finish it up with a round of I Never to find out what cardinal writing rules we've broken.
Question the first: Amber, when did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Real talk? I didn’t. I was a science geek, who just happened to be creative. Dance had long been my outlet for that, but as I got older I found myself listening to my imagination more and putting it on paper. The first book I ever wrote was the one that kickstarted my writing career.
Intriguing! Question the second: What has been your proudest or most exciting moment as an author so far?
I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of these because I’ve been publishing since 2011. That said, I think nailing my deal with Tor Teen was my proudest moment because no matter how many sales I’d gotten on my own or how wide my fan base or steps I skipped in getting to where I am now, it all seemed tarnished by the label “self-published” somehow—like somehow I wasn’t good enough because I hadn’t been “chosen” by a major publishing house. Getting that nod meant a lot to me for that reason.
So none of this is remotely new to you... (Pretends to shuffle predetermined questions). Question the third: At what point did you think to yourself "I've made it" or at what point do you think you'll feel that way?
#1 New York Times Bestseller. Go big or go home 😉
Sounds good to me! Question the fourth: Did any experienced authors or industry people mentor or give you helpful guidance on your journey to publication?
I’ve met a lot of amazing people along the way and picked up nuggets of information from them all but none gave me that one golden piece of advice that stuck with me. Maybe it’s yet to come.
If that's a hint... I've got nothing. Advice pact? Question the fifth: Have you ever had a time when you've felt like giving up?
All. The. Time. But…I’m not really the quitting sort. I’d rather get mad and let it drive me to succeed.
I love it. Question the sixth: What was the most inconvenient time or place you were struck by inspiration?
Always driving. It never fails. As soon as I’m on the highway, ALL the characters in my head (and new ones) start talking.
Rude. Question the seventh: Can you give us hint to help us find an "easter egg" or hidden item to look for in one of your books? Maybe an obscure clue if there's a mystery thread, or a reference you threw in to a favorite book or song?
Hmmm….well, I put in some fun real life experiences that happened to me as a Canadian immigrant in this country. They’re not really pertinent to the story, but you can try to guess which ones are real and which are fiction (HINT: none are fiction)
I did not know that! There is a certain charming Canadian sidekick in the book, though, and now I feel I need to read it again.
Speaking of nothing to do with Canada or sidekicks, it's time for the
I Never Round
The basic rules of I Never, the kid friendly version- I state a generally established writing rule (or at least a norm). If you've broken that rule, state your guilt for the record.
I never made up a word in my manuscript, and stood by it during copyediting.
GUILTY!!!!
I never had an amazing idea right before bed, and decided sleep was more important.
Guilty.
I never started a story with a character waking up, looking in the mirror, or in a bathtub.
*crickets*
I never worked on two manuscripts at once.
I ALWAYS work on at least two at once 😉
I never went several days or even weeks without writing.
Dude…sometimes you just need a break.
Tell me about it! I never wrote "for a long moment."
*crickets*
Did someone leave the screen door open? I never cheated during NaNoWriMo.
I’m not sure I’ve CHEATED at Nano… more like fell off the wagon.
Fair enough! Thank you so much for appearing in Author, I Never! When and where can we look for, preorder, or buy your next or most recent book, and where can we follow you on social media?
Dare You to Lie is out September 4, 2018 in ALL major retailers for hardcover, e-book, and audiobook! The sequel will be out September next year, and it is gonna be a DOOZY! Just finished editing it before I did this interview.
I look forward to it! Bonus question: If your book had a theme song, what would it be?
I’ve spent way too much time thinking about this one and have come up with nothing. BUT—whatever the theme song is, I’m sure it has a fair amount of angst and anger and middle finger to the man in it. Maybe “Killing in the Name of” by Rage Against the Machine would suffice?
DJ Spotify?